Welcome to this beautifully reimagined Chestnut Hill Center Hall Colonial, where timeless architecture meets thoughtful, high-end renovation throughout. As you arrive, you're greeted by elegant gas lighting that gently illuminates the beautiful stone exterior of the home. Step through the vestibule into a gracious foyer. To your left, you will discover a living room that is truly one-of-a-kind. One of three fireplaces anchors the space, while French doors open to a spectacular covered patio outfitted with an all-weather TV, integrated heat lamps, and a soapstone drink rail around the entire perimeter-an outdoor room that truly functions year-round! A carefully concealed secret office, accessed through a pivoting bookcase on the far living room wall, adds a sense of wonder and functionality rarely found in any home. The elegant dining room features its own wood-burning fireplace and windows on two sides, flowing into a completely renovated kitchen (2018) designed for both beauty and functionality. The kitchen features a copper sink and range hood, black stainless steel appliances, La Cornue range, custom cabinetry and soapstone countertops. An under-counter microwave and wine refrigerator are also features of this room and a butcher block island provides practical prep meal space as well as seating for four. A windowed corner also provides space for a bistro table and a rear door provides easy access to the wrap-around porch and outdoor kitchen with integrated grill. A powder room and access from the kitchen to the basement and garage round out the main floor. Newly installed rich walnut hardwood floors flow throughout the first and second floors, adding warmth and continuity to every room. Upstairs, the expansive primary suite, which stretches from the front to the back of the house, boasts its own fireplace and a fully renovated en-suite bathroom with a large walk-through closet. * * All three of the fireplaces in the home have been converted to gas. An additional bedroom and fully updated hall bath complete the second floor, along with the added convenience of a second-floor laundry room. The third floor offers two additional bedrooms and a large, bright bath with a palladian window and a vaulted dormer ceiling that creates a bright and beautiful ‘wet room’ for bathing and showering. Beautiful marble tile also serves to elevate the space. The entire third floor level is newly finished with warm cork flooring. A horseshoe driveway complete with integrated drainage protects the home from water infiltration and the large basement affords an abundance of storage. An additional space was dug out and given a concrete floor at the rear of the home, inside the decorative grape arbor, to create flex space for a potting shed, a workshop or additional storage. A copper sprinkler system-both beautiful and functional- provides water on demand to the lush surrounding grounds. A charming grape arbor and multiple hanging planters adorn the front of the attached two-car garage and elsewhere around the home. The home sits on a beautifully landscaped . 22-acre lot with front, rear, and side yards, offering privacy, borrowed landscape views, and the kind of outdoor living space dreamed of in Chestnut Hill. In addition to the custom grape arbor, the rear yard features a sunken fire pit surrounded by flagstone and incredible overhead lighting which provides the perfect place to gather with friends. This home is mere steps from the trailhead of Wissahickon Valley Park and roughly a 15-minute walk from the center of Chestnut Hill with it’s charming boutiques and myriad dining experiences. This one-of-a-kind property delivers space, character, and modern comfort in equal measure. Great home, great location, great neighborhood.
Single-familyProperty Type
1925Year Built
9,400 sq ftLot Size
$561Price/Sq.Ft.
2 garage spacesParking
Listed by Melissa Oeth• Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
•610-229-9011 (broker)
Bought with Douglas Pearson• Kurfiss Sotheby's International Realty
Est. $4,382 per month, based on comparable rentals
Sale and tax history for 97 E Bells Mill Rd
Sale History
Tax History
Date
Event
Price
BRIGHT MLS #PAPH2604614
Oct 2, 2026
Sold
$1,650,000
$561/sq ft
Sep 21, 2026
Pending
—
Sep 20, 2026
Contingent
—
Sep 9, 2026
Relisted
—
Jul 7, 2026
Listing Removed
—
Jun 16, 2026
Contingent
—
Jun 11, 2026
Listed
$1,695,000
$577/sq ft
Jun 4, 2026
Coming Soon
$1,695,000
$577/sq ft
TREND #6605901
Feb 25, 2016
Sold
$625,000
$213/sq ft
Jan 19, 2016
Pending
—
Aug 18, 2015
Price Changed
$649,900
$221/sq ft
Jul 7, 2015
Listed
$675,000
$230/sq ft
+20
BRIGHT MLS #1002651470
Feb 25, 2016
Sold
$625,000
$213/sq ft
Jan 15, 2016
Listing Removed
—
Jul 7, 2015
Listed
$649,900
$221/sq ft
+20
This won't last long! Manageable Chestnut Hill Center Hall Colonial includes attached two-car garage, elegant living room with fireplace, beautiful dining room with its own fireplace, bright kitchen, butler's pantry and powder room on first floor. Second floor has three bedrooms and two baths. The huge master bedroom has its own fireplace and bathroom, and runs from the front to the back of the house. The hall bath serves the two other bedrooms on the floor. Third floor has two more bedrooms and another bath. From the front door, walk into a small vestibule that protects the residents and their utility bills from the elements. Once inside the vestibule, the house opens to a lovely foyer, with coat closet. The living room to the left has windows on three sides and a french door to a spacious and private covered porch that serves as an outside room in the nice weather. To the right of the foyer is the elegant dining room with windows on two sides and a wood burning fireplace. Through the butler's pantry, with abundant original cabinetry and an entrance to the powder room and basement, is the bright and sunny kitchen. From the kitchen, you can access a back porch, additional storage, and the two car garage. Freshly painted inside and out, with original architectural details intact, the home offers light-filled spaces, borrowed landscape views, privacy, and comfort. Great house, great location, great neighborhood. OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY JANUARY 17 is CANCELLED.
Public Records
May 21, 1984
Sold
$186,000
$63/sq ft
Year
Property tax
Land + Additions
Assessment*
2026
$11,904 (−10.5%)
$190,080 + $760,320
$950,400
2025
$13,304 (+15.8%)
$190,080 + $760,320
$950,400
2024
$11,488
$164,140 + $656,560
$820,700
2023
$11,488 (+24.0%)
$164,140 + $656,560
$820,700
2022
$9,267
$198,600 + $463,400
$662,000
2021
$9,267
$198,600 + $463,400
$662,000
2020
$9,267 (−4.2%)
$198,600 + $463,400
$662,000
2019
$9,671 (+8.0%)
$207,270 + $483,630
$690,900
2018
$8,956
$191,940 + $447,860
$639,800
2017
$8,955 (+26.5%)
$191,940 + $447,860
$639,800
2015
$7,079
$263,200 + $265,100
$528,300
2014
$7,079 (−11.2%)
$263,200 + $265,100
$528,300
2013
$7,973 (+3.6%)
$15,954 + $65,646
$81,600
2012
$7,697 (+3.9%)
$15,954 + $65,646
$81,600
2011
$7,411 (+9.9%)
$15,954 + $65,646
$81,600
2010
$6,743
$15,954 + $65,646
$81,600
Public record
Public record
Zoning
Beds
5
Baths
3
Stories
2.5
Lot width
99 ft.
Lot depth
160 ft.
Lot size
9,400 Sq. Ft.
Year renovated
—
Sq. Ft.
2,940
Year built
1925
Style
Single Family Residential
County
Philadelphia County
APN
091141400
Parking Spaces
—
Basement
—
Accessible
—
HOA Dues
—
Garage
—
Features
—
Last updated by owner on Sep 9, 2026.
RSD-1
/NIS
/EDO
/WWO
Residential Single-Family Detached-1 District
The RSD, Residential Single-Family Detached districts are primarily intended to accommodate detached houses on individual lots. It is intended that RSD zoning be applied in areas where the land use pattern is characterized predominately by detached houses on individual lots or where such a land use pattern is desired in the future. The Zoning Code includes three RSD districts that are differentiated primarily on the basis of minimum lot area requirements.
Zone overlays
Narcotics Injection Sites Overlay District
Eighth District Overlay District
Wissahickon Watershed Overlay District
Permitted uses
Include but are not limited to:
Garden center
Housing-Single unit
Recreation-Other
Property details
Parking
Parking Information
# of Attached Garage Spaces: 2
Garage Features: Garage Door Opener, Garage - Front Entry, Inside Access
# of Total Garage and Parking Spaces: 6
Has Garage
# of Garage Spaces: 2
Off Street - # of Spaces: 4
Circular Driveway, Lighted Parking
Attached Garage, Off Street
Interior
Bedroom Information
# of Bedrooms On 1st Upper Level: 2
# of Bedrooms On 3rd Upper Level: 2
Bathroom Information
# of Bathrooms (Full) On 1st Upper Level: 2
# of Bathrooms (Full) On 3rd Upper Level: 1
# of Bathrooms (Half) On Main Level: 1
# of Bathrooms (Full) On All Upper Levels: 3
# of Bathrooms (Half): 1
# of Bathrooms (Full): 3
Interior Information
Appliances: Dishwasher, Disposal, Microwave, Oven/Range - Gas, Range Hood, Refrigerator, Stainless Steel Appliances, Washer - Front Loading, Dryer - Front Loading
Lot Features: Irregular, Front Yard, Rear Yard, SideYard(s)
Tidal Water: No
Land Information
Land Assessed Value: $263,200
Above Grade Information
Finished Sq.Ft.: 2,940
Finished Sq.Ft. Source: Estimated
Financial
Tax Information
Tax Assessed Value: $609,800
Tax Year: 2016
Tax Annual Amount: $8,536
Utilities
Utilities Information
Central Air
Cooling Type: Central A/C
Cooling Fuel: Electric
200+ Amp Service
Forced Air
Heating Fuel: Oil
Hot Water: Electric
Sewer Septic: On Site Septic
Water Source: Public
Location
School Information
High School: GERMANTOWN
School District Name: PHILADELPHIA CITY
High School Source: 3rd Party
School District Source: 3rd Party
Location Information
Cross Street: GERMANTOWN AVE
Directions: Follow GPS to 97 E Bells Mill Road
Municipality: PHILADELPHIA
Public facts
Beds: 5
Baths: 3.0
Sq. Ft.: 2,940
Stories: 2.5
Lot Size: 9,400 square feet
Style: Single Family Residential
Year Built: 1925
Year Renovated: —
County: Philadelphia County
APN: 091141400
Home facts updated by county records on Sep 9, 2026
Other
Listing Information
Automatically Close on Close Date
Around this home
Schools
Jenks John S School
Public K-8 • Assigned • 1.0mi
7/10
Roxborough High School
Public 9-12 • Assigned • 3.3mi
1/10
Provided by GreatSchools
Climate risks
1/10 Flood Factor
Minimal risk of a flood reaching the building in the next 30 years
2/10 Fire Factor
0.00% chance of being in a wildfire in next 30 years
5/10 Heat Factor
7 days above 101° expected this year, 15 days in 30 years
6/10 Wind Factor
27% chance of strong winds in next 30 years
4/10 Air Factor
5 unhealthy days expected this year, 7 days in 30 years
Provided by First Street
Historical weather
Philadelphia, PA • 19118
Average low and high temperatures (°F)
34
21
39
25
57
36
66
44
72
53
82
63
87
69
80
61
78
59
67
46
55
38
41
26
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sun exposure
78/ 100
Good sunlight
Sunscore
This home ranks in the top 20% for direct sun exposure in Philadelphia. There appears to be minimal shading by surrounding buildings, terrain, and vegetation.
7.5 hrs
4.2 hrs
JuneDecember
Provided by Shadowmap
Estimated sale price
$1.60M – $1.94M
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